1. Sustaining the sacred centre

Transcription

1 1. Sustaining the sacred centre How do we 'receive Christ' in our own lives (v12)? If 'receiving Christ' is one way of describing the sacred centre, how do we sustain that centre? What do we find 'works' for us and those around us? What could we be doing in our own church to sustain the sacred centre of the church's life? STILLNESS 1. Read John again. 2. Meditate on v.12: 'To all who received him, he gave power to become children of God.' 3. While this is being done, play a quiet piece of music of your choice (try four minutes). 4. Prayer: Jesus, Word of the Father, help us to hear your Word amongst the cacophony of words in our culture. May we recognise the still small voice in the sacred centre of our lives, and respond with joy. And may that quiet voice send us out to live the faith for the future and to transform the world with your love. Amen.

2 2. Making Disciples 1. Andrew and Philip are the first people on record to bring others to Jesus with the simple invitation come and see. What are we inviting people to come and see today? 2. Befriending and understanding people is an important part of making them disciples. What strategies does your church have for simply getting to know one another? How can these be improved? 3. What do you think are the most helpful ways of enabling people to grow in their faith? How will you do this during, say, the next six months? 4. How can we better support people in our congregations with particularly demanding or high profile jobs? Have some Bible verses about discipleship printed on pieces of paper. Invite group members to take one and read it out. Follow each reading with a short time of silence for reflection and silent prayer. Verses could include: Matthew (mission of the twelve); Luke (Mary and Martha); Luke (loving God and our neighbour); John (Jesus and Peter); Romans (instructing one another); 2 Corinthians (opening our hearts); various verses from Ephesians 4; James (faith and works); Revelation (patient endurance and love) and other verses from Revelation 2 and 3. SOME FURTHER TOPICS EITHER IN THE GROUP OR IN THE Give thanks for The people who first showed you Jesus The very many courses and published materials available to help us understand our faith better. Pray for One another in our lives at work and at home Those in the local church with particular responsibility for mission and outreach Our friendships with people who are not Christians Special services or events that are an opportunity to invite people to come and see The Holy Spirit s guidance in planning for the future.

3 3. Making a difference in society 1. Why should we be concerned about social justice? 2. As a local Christian community (both the local church and the diocese as a whole) how can we best seek justice for people who are poor, hungry or homeless, for immigrants, for people who suffer as a result of conflict? 3. What are the consequences for us of serving people in need (e.g. speaking out on their behalf)? 4. How do we bring the needs of the world into the spiritual life of our church? How could we do it better? Put a candle or cross where everyone can see it. Have a few newspapers available. Ask people to tear out a headline, read it out and place it in front of the candle or cross. Pause for reflection and silent prayer after each headline. SOME FURTHER TOPICS EITHER IN THE GROUP OR IN THE Give thanks for Local groups and activities that are dedicated to making a difference, either in this country or overseas The burning sense of injustice on the part of young people. Pray for A greater awareness of the causes of injustice and a greater willingness to address them The courage to speak out People who are poor and suffering in our link diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman.

4 4. Creating vibrant Christian communities 1. The dead wood referred to in verse 2 is not necessarily people, but also habits and attitudes. What is the dead wood that needs to be removed from your community in order for spiritual growth to take place? 2. What makes your church community distinctively Christian in your local setting? How could you do this better? 3. How do you relate to other Christian communities? Are you working with them or against them? 4. Depending on how you defined testifying, how can you and your church do this more effectively? Put out a selection of material that your church has produced recently magazines, weekly service sheet, sermon card, prayer cards, pictures of the church or people, and so on. Ask each person to choose one and pray for the people or activities represented, either silently or with another member of the group. SOME FURTHER TOPICS EITHER IN THE GROUP OR IN THE WEEK AHEAD Give thanks and pray for The work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our community The visible presence of the Christian church in our towns and villages. Pray especially for Church communities set in difficult urban areas Rural church communities and their particular problems The courage of all of us to be seen and heard to be distinctive.

5 5. Shaping confident, collaborative leadership 1 Some people find it very hard to share leadership and responsibility. How can they be encouraged to work collaboratively? 2. Think of how leadership in your own church is currently structured. What works well? What could be done differently? 3. What resources do you think should be made available to your leaders: diocesan training courses, secular management training, discussion groups or something else? 4. How are you encouraging and developing future leaders in your church? 5. Think back over these five sessions. As a result of these studies, what in particular do you intend to take forward in your church? Put out a few copies of Rublev s icon (downloadable at Play some quiet music and ask people to reflect on the collaborative team of the Trinity. SOME FURTHER TOPICS EITHER IN THE GROUP OR IN THE Give thanks and pray for Church leaders at every level (national, diocesan, local) Lay people exercising gifts of leadership within the local church, diocese and national and international church bodies Those who devise and deliver leadership training programmes. Pray especially for Clergy and lay people who find collaborative leadership difficult Leaders experiencing a loss of confidence, whether in their own abilities or in their faith Congregations that lack appropriate leadership The continuing development of, and enthusiasm for, Living Faith.